Flatiron cord support



Oct. 19, 1943. 3 Q FAGAN 2,332,374

FLATIRON com) SUPPORT Filed Jan. 22, 1942 Patented Oct. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLATIRON CORD SUPPORT I John C. Fagan, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa, a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 22, 1942, Serial No. 427,806

Claims. (Cl. 219-25) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for supporting the current supply cords of electric flatirons, and more particularly to cord supporting devices that are carried directly on or by the flatiron.

Since the advent of the electric flatiron there has existed the problem of supporting the current supply cord so that it does not interfere with the use and operation of the iron. In the past it has been proposed to overcome this problem in several ways, principally by means of a support--usua1ly in the form of an arm or a reel --that is attached to the ironing board. However, such supports are objectionable and dimcult to use because they require considerable effort on the part of the operator to bend or unreel them in order that the cord may be pulled about during use of the iron. Some attempts also have been made to provide cord supports that are carried by the flatiron but prior devices of this type generally have proved unsuccessful for numerous reasons.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present inventionis to provide for the current cord of an electric flatiron, a support which is carried directly by the flatiron and movable with respect thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an electric flatiron, a current cord support ofthe character set forth that is removable and which, in its normal position during use of the flatiron, is locked or secured against removal therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an electric flatiron, a current cord support of the type described which is pivotally carried by the flatiron and movable to positions laterally and radially thereof whereby the support is rendered self-adjusting with respect to positions in which the iron may be placed by the operator during both use and non-use thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a flatiron current cord support, embodying the aforesaid features, which is provided with a cord retainer or holder having novel features of construction and arrangement which serve not only to retain and hold the current cord but also to prevent excess wear and strain upon the cord at the point of support.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a flatiron cord support of the character set forth that is comparatively neat in appearance; of relatively simple, inexpensive construction and convenient to use; and requires no special effort on the part of the operator to manipthe various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are hereinafter fully set forth and described, and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an electric flatiron embodying a current cord support device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in.

section taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in perspective of a current cord support made according to this invention.

Figure 4 is a partial view in plan of a flatiron and current cord support showing the latter in position with respect to the iron for attachment to and removal from said iron; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the general position of the current cord support when attached and in use.

Referring now more particularly to the draw-' ing, in Figure 1 there is shown a flatiron of well known type including the usual sole plate I, cover 2 and handle 3, the latter having a depending rear leg portion 4 that is secured to the cover 2 at or adjacent the rear end of the iron. As best illustrated in Figure 2, there is provided between the cover 2 and handle 3, atone side of the flatiron, a recess or groove 5. This recessor groove 5 may be formed by undercutting the base of the rear leg portion 4 of said handle 3 as shown or, if desired, provision therefor may be made merely by spacing the handle slightly above the cover 2 by the inter-position of one or more suitable spacers, such as washers or the like, between said cover 2 and the base of the handle rear leg portion 4.

In the cover 2 of the iron, and laterally adjacent the aforesaid recess or groove 5, there is provided a socket -6 for receiving and mounting the current cord support. The socket 6 may be in the form of a tube and, as shown, this tube preferably extends downwardly within the cover 2 through an opening in the top thereof and has its upper end secured in and opening upwardly through the generally flat top portion of said cover 2 at a point laterally adjacent the recess or groove 5 as aforesaid. The space or distance between the socket 6 and the immediately adjacent exterior surface of the handle leg 4, and the relation of this space or. distance to the construction of the cord support, is important and will be considered in detail hereinafter.

As shown in Figure 3, the cord support member comprises a rod or the like I, one end of which is bent to provide a shank or stud 8 for insertion into or within the socket 8. For this purpose the diameter of the rod, or at least its shank portion 8, is such that said shank portion 8 may be relatively snugly, yet rotatably, received within the tubular socket 8 in the relation shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. Secured to the rod 1 adjacent the shank end 8 thereof is member 9 comprising a clamp portion [0 which the support and generally serving to stiffen and strengthen the cord support.

A further purpose is also served by the flat portion ll of the member 9 and, in this connection, it will be observed that this flat portion I0 is shaped and dimensioned with relation to the distance between the socket 6 and the adjacent surface of the leg 4 of the handle 3 so that the shank 8 of the support can be inserted in said .socket 8 only when the rod 1 is positioned axially of the iron with its free end pointed toward the front end thereof in the manner shown in Figure 4 of the drawing. Thus with theisupport positioned as in said Figure 4, it will be seen that the flat portion ll adjacent the handle leg 4 is straight edged and sufficiently narrow to permit the shank portion 8 of the rod 1 to be aligned with the socket Stand also to permit said flat portion H to clear the adjacent handle surface as the shank 8 is inserted axially into said socket 8.

On the other hand, however, it will-be seen that the oppositeside and end of the flat portion ll of member 9 project outwardly from the shank 8 and are of a width substantially greater than the distance or spacing between the socket 6 and the adjacent handle leg 4.' Hence, if it be attempted to insert the support into the socket 8 while said support is in any position other than the aforesaid axially forward position, the projection portions of the flat portion l I will abut to engage the surface of thehandle leg 4 and prevent the shank 8 from being aligned with and inserted into said socket 6.

In addition, when the shank 8 of the-support rod 1 is properly inserted into the socket 8 with the flat portion ll of member 9 bearing against the upper end of said socket as previously described, the support can be rotated or pivoted through an arc of approximately 180 and, in all positions of the support rod 1 throughout this range, except of course the shank inserting position shown in Figure 4, the projecting side or end of the flat portion Ii will be disposed in the recess or groove 5 between the cover land handle leg 4 (see Figures 1, 2 and 5), thereby preventing removal of the support from the socket.

Thus when the support is inserted in the socket 6 in the position shown in Figure 4, and is swung outward, for example, to the position shown in Figure 5, the support is locked in the socket in the flatiron by virtue of the positioning of the flat portion ll of member 9 in the recess or groove 5, and the support can only be removed against accidental displacement.

when it is again positioned axially forwardly of the iron as in said Figure 4.

For retaining the current cord relative to the support, there is provided at the outer or free end of the rod 1 a rod retainer or holder 12. This retainer I2 preferably is molded of suitable material such as Bakelite or the like, and is simply fitted over the end of the rod I in the relation illustrated. As shown best in Figure 3 of the drawing, this cord retainer I2 is shaped to pro-.

vide a channel or space I3 0! such diameter that the current cord fits. snugly therein. The cord is inserted into the channel l8 through a slot-like opening 14 which is slightly narrower than the channel l3 but is of such width that the current cord may be forced through it into the said channel l3 and normally will be retained therein Furthermore. the cord retainer I2 is of sufllcient axial length and provided with rounded edges so that wear and strain is not imposed on the cord at its point of support by the retainer [2.

In modern electric flatirons the current supply cord extends from the right hand side of the rear portion of the iron handle as illustrated, and, of course, the cord support is arranged to support the cord at that side of the iron although, in the case of irons made for use by left-handed persons, th cord and support may be arranged at the other or left hand side of the fiatiron as desired. Furthermore, and in order'to permit relative freedom of movement of the cord and sup port through the full range oi. swing afforded,

the socket 6, which constitutes the center of rotational movement of the support, desirably is mounted in approximate alignment with the point of connection of the current cord to the handle of the iron so that the centers of swinging movement of both the support and the current cord may be as nearly co-axial as the construction of the iron will permit.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel cord support for electric flatirons which is carried directly by the iron and is movable relative to said iron to an extent that it is rendered self-adjustable with respect to positions in which the iron may be placed by the operator. Too, the present invention provides a cord support that not only is carried directly by the iron but also a support which is locked or secured against removal from the iron throughout the range of its normal positions during 'use of the iron. The .invention furthermore provides a support wherein wear'and strain on the current supply cord are minimized, and no special eifort on the part of the operator is required to manipulate the iron and keep the cord, from dragging on the ironing board.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended that the invention shall be limited to the disclosure, but that changes and modifica tions thereof may be made within the scope of the claims.

Iclaim:

1. An electric iron comprising a body portion and a handle secured thereon, a current supply cord connected at one end to the iron, a socket in the body portion of the iron, an elongated current cord support removably mounted at its inner end in said socket and arranged for swinging movement through an arc of substantial length to positions laterally and radially of the iron, the said socket being disposed in approximate alignment with said connection of the current cord to the iron so that the centers of swinging movement of both the support and cord are approximately coaxial, a member carried by said support adjacent its inner end and including a projecting portion arranged and cooperable with the iron to permit the support to be inserted in and removed from the socket only when said support is disposed in one predetermined position with respect to the iron, and a cord retaining member at the outer end oi said support.

2. An electric iron comprising a body portion and a handle secured thereon, a current supply cord connected to said iron, a socket in the body portion of the iron, means providing a recess adjacent said socket, an elongated current cord support removably mounted at its inner end in said socket and arranged for swinging movement through an arc of substantial length to positions laterally and radially oi the iron, the said socket being disposed in approximate vertical alignment with the connection of the current cord to said iron so that the centers ofswinging movement of both the support and cord are approximately coaxial, a member carried by said support adjacent its inner end and including a projecting portion cooperable with said adjacent recess during a substantial portion oi-the arc of movement of the support thereby to secure the latter against removal from th socket, and a cord retaining member at the outer end of said support.

3. An electric iron comprising a body portion and a handle secured thereon, a current supply.

iron so that the centers of swinging movement oi. both the support and cord are approximately coaxial, a member carried by said support adjacent the inner end thereof and including a projecting portion, said projecting portion of the member being arranged and cooperable with the iron to permit the support to be inserted in the socket only when said support is disposed in one predetermined position with respect to the iron.

and being cooperable with said recess to secure the support against removal from the socket when said support is inserted in said socket and disposed in other positions with respect to the iron, and a cord retaining member at the outer end of said support.

4. A support for the current supply cord of an electric iron comprising an elongated slender element having at one end thereof an angularly oil.- set portion providing a shank adapted to be pivotally supported by said iron, a member on said element adjacent the shank thereof comprising a clamp portion embracing the element and a flat projecting portion disposed at right angles to said shank and having therein an opening through which said shank extends, and a cord retaining member at the other end 01' said element for receiving and supporting the current supply cord.

5. A cord retainer for a cord support of the character described comprising an elongated nonmetallic body of generally U-shape cross-section providing a channel and a slot-like opening thereto, the said channel having a cross-section size and shape to receive and snugly retain the current cord and the slot like opening being narrower than the channel so as normally to retain the cord therein against accidental displacement but being sufllciently wid to permit of forced passage of the cord therethrough, and the said channel'and slot opening thereto being provided with rounded edges so as to support a current cord therein with a minimum of wear and strain.

JOHN C. FAGAN. 

